Ruth Gertrude Meier Schoenwetter, age 90, of Madison, Wisconsin, died on January 15, 2026.

Ruth was born on September 11, 1935, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Herman E. Meier and Gertrude M. Meier Watson. She grew up in Madison and was a proud, lifelong Madisonian. She attended Randall Elementary School and West High School and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Friends she made at Randall became lifelong companions. When Ruth married and had children, she and her friends, MaryAnn Turner and Phila Poff, along with their families, often traveled together to ski or camp, or gathered for the occasional cookout in someone’s backyard.

Ruth married Charles D. Schoenwetter on June 19, 1955, at Memorial United Church of Christ in Madison, the church where she was raised and to which she belonged her entire life. A lifelong resident of Madison, she built a life deeply rooted in family, community, and creative work. Ruth was an award-winning potter and co-founder of the Madison Potter’s Guild. She pursued her profession with dedication and skill throughout her life. Many people in Madison own her highly functional and beautiful work.

Ruth was a committed Democrat and feminist who went door to door in her Hill Farms neighborhood to support Senators Proxmire and Nelson, often with her two small children in tow. She raised her children in her church and encouraged them to think for themselves and to be actively concerned for the wellbeing of the world. Ruth was very intelligent and a voracious reader, and she was deeply committed to supporting local small businesses, including bookstores.

Ruth always had at least one dog. From Butch, the cocker spaniel of her youth, to her beloved Gracie and Phoebe in later years, Ruth’s dogs were her best friends and confidants.

Later in life, Ruth became a bluebird trail keeper. She recruited volunteers to make houses for the bluebirds and for many years carefully checked their progress as each new brood was laid. She kept exacting notes on their development from eggs to fledglings and submitted the statistics to both state and national bluebird databases.

Ruth is survived by her children, Lisa D. Schoenwetter (KelsyAnne Schoenhaar) and Kurt D. Schoenwetter (Cindy Adams Schoenwetter), and “adopted” daughter, Paula Wermich; and her grandchildren, Adam Schoenwetter, Sarah Schoenhaar, and Kristi Schoenhaar. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her husband, Charles.

A memorial service will be held at MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with a luncheon to follow. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to Memorial United Church of Christ or Agrace Hospice, 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Ruth M Schoenwetter

September 11, 1935 - January 15, 2026

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